
QUAKER HILL 

LOCAL III STORY 

SERIES 



XVI. 5^agl)tttgton's 
fleatjparters 
at jptetiertcfeBftutgl) 



LEWIS S. PATRICK 



■■■Ilia 



WASHINGTON'S 
HEAD Q UAR T E R S 



AND THE 



REVOLUTIONARY ARMY 

AT 

FREDERICKSBURGH 

IN THE 

STATE OF NEW YORK 
September 19th to November 28th, 1778 

LEWIS S. PATRICK 

n 
MARINETTE. WIS. 

September 8th, 1905 

MEMBER OF 

Illinois Sons of the Revolution 

Wisconsin Sons of the American Revolution 
American Historical Association 

Stale Historical Society, Wisconsin 

READ AT THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING 
OF THE QUAKER HILL CONFERENCE 

September the eighth 
Nineteen hundred and five 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

QUAKER HILL CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION 
Quaker HUl. New York. 1907 



£1 I3f 



■ T3t 

Publications 

Of the Quaker Hili, Conference Association 



A Critical Study of the Bible, by the Rev. Newton M. 
Hall of Springfield, Mass. 

The Relation of the Church at Home to the Church 
Abroad, by Rev. Geoige William Knox, D.D., of New York. 

A Tenable Theory of Biblical Inspiration, by Prof. 
Irving Francis Wood, Ph.D., of Northampton, Mass. 

The Book Farmer, by Edward H. Jenkins, Ph.D., of 
New Haven, Conn. 

IvOCAI. HISTORY SERIES 

David Irish— A Memoir, by his daughter, Mrs. Phoebe 
T. Wanzer of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Quaker Hill in the Eighteenth Century, by Rev. Warren 
H. Wilson of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Quaker Hill in the Nineteenth Century, by Rev. Warren 
H. Wilson of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Hiram B. Jones and His School, by Rev. Edward I/. 
Chichester of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Richard Osborn— A Reminiscence, by Margaret B. Mon- 
ahan of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Albert J. Akin— A Tribute, by Rev. Warren H. Wilson of 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Ancient Homes and Early Days at Quaker Hill, by 

Amanda Akin Stearns of Quaker Hill, N. Y. 

Thomas Taber and Edward Shove— a Reminiscence, by 

Rev. Benjamin Shove of New York. 

Some Glimpses of the Past, by Alicia Hopkins Taber of 
Pawling, N. Y. 

The Purchase Meeting, by James Wood of Mt. Kisco, 
N. Y. 

In Loving Remembrance of Ann Hayes, by Mrs. Warren 
H. Wilson of Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Washington's Headquarters at Fredericksburgh, by 

I^ewis S. Patrick of Marinette, Wis. 

Any one of these publications may be had by addressing 
the Secretary, Rev. Bertram A. Warren, 

Quaker Hill, N.Y. 

Price Ten Cents. Twelve Cents Postpaid. 



Gift 
Author 

<Porsp< 



INTRODUCTION. 

Here in this place, in this presence, in my 
native County and State, it is an honor to 
be able to present some of the evidence of 
an old story, a story that never grows old, 
never loses its fascination, never loses its 
interest, the Story of the American Revo- 
lution. The interest and the inspiration 
in the events of the Revolution and the 
Army, come from the love of the old, the 
historical; increased and strengthened by 
researches made, to collect facts and mat- 
ters of interest, relating to the military ser- 
vices of my ancestor. Col. Henry Luding- 
ton, of the Seventh Dutchess Co. N. Y." 
State Militia (War of the Revolution). 

The historians give but the briefest men- 
tion of Fredericksburgh. There are many 
things of interest and moment well worth 
preserving. Imperfect as my work may be, 
gathering the evidence from citations has 
required no small amount of labor and ex- 
pense. With ampler material, with more 
authoritative presentation, I can but wish 
the task could have been better performed, 
and that some abler pen may be inspired to 
continue the investigation, and earn the 
recognition due, that here was enacted a 
part of the great drama which has given 
us "A government of the people, for the 
people and by the people." 



THE TITLE 

chosen for this day, ''Washington's Head- 
quarters and the Revolutionary Army at 
Fredericksburgh, in the state of New York," 
September 19th to November 28th, 1778, 
may be at variance with your day, — Quaker 
hill day. 

In defense I plead, 

"Up and down the village streets 
Strange are the forms my fancies meets, 
For the thoug'hts and things of to-day are 

hid, 
And through the veil of a closed lid 
The ancient worthies I see again." 

The official orders, the letters, the cor- 
respondence, designate Fredericksburgh or 
Camp near, with few exceptions. 

Investigation leads to the conclusion that 
up and down this valley and along the 
hillsides thereof, the army was encamped. 
Patterson, Pawling and Quaker Hill, what- 
ever distinction and honor there may be, 
each have an equal share. 



WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS. 

One of the local writers has declared 
the controversy in regard to Washington's 
Headquarters in Pawling, 1778, has reached 
the stage where facts are essential. 

It is not the purpose to paint a picture 
nor destroy, but to build up and establish 
local events of the Revolution in this vicinity 
and to make them authoritative and his- 
torical truths. Some of the facts will be 
presented. 

Philip Smith, in his excellent and valu- 
able history of Dutchess County, makes 
the statement: ''As to the precise location 
of General Washington's Headquarters in 
this town (Pawling) there seems to be 
some question. Some locate it at the 
Slocum place, and others at the Kirby 
House, at the foot of Quaker hill. There 
appears to be good authority for each opin- 
ion." No authority is presented except 
local tradition based upon statements made, 
cherished, treasured and repeated from 
generation to generation. 

The location of the headquarters as re- 
lated and transmitted in the tradition of 
the Ferris family there is great respect. It 
is worthy of credence. Other incidents of 
the Revolution in this vicinity are founded 
upon just such statements in other families 
whose correctness can hardly be questioned. 

Admitting that the Headquarters were 



at the Ferris place, we must depend upon 
the traditional history of the family and of 
others, that Washington established and 
maintained headquarters at Reed Ferris's. 

Mrs. Lossing, in her letter to Mr. Smith, 
states: ''The sojourn of the Commander- 
in-chief in the community must have been 
a matter of moment. Everybody knew it, 
and the house that gave him shelter was a 
marked one. It is a question of the force 
of a document, the testimony of a single 
individual, subject to the vicissitude of 
error, prejudice and misconception as 
against the testimony of many." 

The argument to sustain the contention 
that the headquarters were at the Ferris 
house. 

In presenting the facts the matter does 
not rest upon the force of a single docu- 
ment nor upon the testimony of a single 
individual. There is no error nor mis- 
conception. A most exhaustive search and 
an extensive correspondence with the de- 
scendants of the men of the Revolution who 
were in this vicinity fails to discover a 
single document or record mentionng or 
describing the house of Reed Ferris as the 
headquarters of Washington. The nearest 
approach to record evidence states: "We 
left Fredericksburgh and after thirteen 
miles march, we pitched out tents at Mr. 
Reed's field in the Oblong." This account 
was made by one of Washington's Life 
Guards on the 19th of September. The 
march for that day probably started near 
the Westchester County Hne. If we can 
interpret Mr. Reed to mean Reed Ferris 



then the Hfe guard was probably near the 
person of the Commander-m-chief, and the 
headquarters. 

The trial of General Schuyler, the im- 
portant event during the occupation and 
the stay of the Army in this locality, affords 
another supposition and possible authority. 

The order for the General Court-martial 
to meet was issued September 23rd, and 
reads : "The General Court-martial, where- 
of Maj. Gen'l Lincoln is President, will 
meet next Monday at Gen'l Lincoln's quar- 
ters, near Quaker Hill, where headquarters 
are at present." On the 30th this order was 
repeated and enlarged and reads: "The 
General Court-martial, whereof Maj. Gen'l 
Lincoln is President, will assemble to-mor- 
row morning at 9 o'clock at the President's 
quarters and sit at such place as he shall 
appoint for the trial of Maj. Gen'l Schuyler. 
Col. Johnson is appointed member of the 
Court, vice Col. Wyllis, who is sick. 
All evidences and persons concerned will 
attend." 

Lossing, in his life of General Schuyler, 
p. 314, states: "Months passed away be- 
fore the Court-martial assembled. It was 
finally convened on the ist day of October, 
1778, at the house of Reed Ferris, yet 
standing in the town of Pawling, Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., near Quaker Hill, where Wash- 
ington had his headquarters, and which he 
had just evacuated. There General Schuy- 
ler was put on trial." I am unable to de- 
termine the authority of Mr. Lossing. 
Every repository that might have the orig- 
inal papers has been consulted. No evidence 



has been found of them. If General Lin- 
coln designated any place, no record exists 
where. His authority appears to have no 
documentary evidence. 

The question arises, if Washington did 
occupy the house of Reed Ferris, how long 
was he there? The order for the army to 
march was issued at White Plains, Sep- 
tember 15th. It put the army in motion 
on the morning of the i6th towards Fred- 
ericksburg, at which place it probably ar- 
rived during the 19th. Washington pro- 
ceeded by the river route, visited the forts 
and passed through Fishkill on the 20th 
for Fredericksburg, at which place he may 
have arrived the same day. Whether at 
this particular time or not, a tradition ex- 
ists, that he once slept in the house on the 
farm, known since as the Benjamin place, 
the place where I was born. It may be 
possible that he did not arrive until the 
2ist or 22d. His first letter is dated the 
22d and his first order the 23d, indicating 
he did not arrive much earlier than the 22d. 

The Life Guards arrived the 19th at 
Mr. Reed's field, remained six days, and 
then moved to the headquarters afterwards 
maintained. Lossing says, "zuhere he had 
his headquarters, and zvhich he had just 
evacuated." Schuyler's trial began on Oc- 
tober 1st. On the ist day of October, the 
headquarters were not at the place of the 
trial, they were at some other place. If 
Washington came on the 20th, he left 
Fredericksburg, went to Fishkill on the 
30th. We have then ten days he was at 
the Ferris house. The movement of the 



Life Guards took place on the 25th and 
with them the headquarters, leaving in the 
meantime but six days intervening, cover- 
ing all the time that Washington may have 
occupied the Ferris house. At the best, 
Washington's stay at the house of Reed 
Ferris was of but short duration, and what- 
ever honor and distinction there may be 
must be confined to such time. 



AT JOHN KANE'S. 

That no better remembrance remains of 
the Headquarters at John Kane's is neither 
surprising nor strange. It must be remem- 
bered he was a large land holder and the 
possessor of other property to a large 
amount. With him, like many others simi- 
larly situated, property possession was 
greater than patriotic purpose. It is more 
than probable he had no faith in the success 
of the patriot's cause. It was neither pru- 
dent, safe or politic to espouse it. Remain- 
ing loyal to the British Crown, the circum- 
stances of war brought severe penalty, the 
loss of property, dispossession, forfeiture 
and removal. 

Should he have or hold but the bitterest 
recollection of the occupancy of his prem- 
ises as the headquarters of the American 
General? It is an accepted truth, the loss 
of property makes the strongest, surest and 
the most lasting of enemies. 

Neither he nor his descendants would 
have the slightest interest or pride to main- 
tain or perpetuate an event which had 
brought them dire disaster, except that of 



hatred. No wonder, then, that so Httle has 
been retained. Whatever remains comes 
from others and not from him. 

The documentary proof is ample and suf- 
ficient to estabhsh the headquarters at John 
Kane's. 

First : Letter of Gov. CHnton to Robert 
R. Livingston, dated at Poughkeepsie, 23d 
Sept., 1778. CHnton Papers, Vol. 4, p. yj. 
*'The army has left the Plains and are now 
posted along the mountains from Danbury 
to West Point. Headquarters at John 
Kane's at Fredericksburg, for which place 
General Washington, after having the forts, 
passed through Fishkill on Sunday last" 
(20th Sept., 1778). 

Second: Elijah Fisher's Journal, 1775- 
1784, p. 10, 25th Sept. : "Headquarters and 
likewise the guard left Oblong and come to 
Mr. Cains in Fredrexburg four miles and 
pitched tents." 30th: "His Excellency, 
with his addecamps went to the Fishkills." 
8th Oct. : "His Exelency and addecamp re- 
turned from Fishkills to Mr. Cains." 

Third: Washington's Order Book, Oct. 
22nd: Nixons, Huntingtons and Parsons 
Brigade are to march to-morrow morning 
from the left under command of Maj. Gen'l 
McDougall. The Quartermaster General 
will give the route. Order repeated in the 
Division orders, Gen'l McDougall's order 
book. 

Orders of March, Oct. 22nd: 

"The Rout will be by Headquarters to 
Col. Morehouses, then to Deacon Gaylords, 
from thence to Shawan River through New 

10 



Milford, then to Southington Meeting 
house and last to Farmington." 

Division orders, McDougall's order book, 
Oct. 22nd. Order of march : 

"Gen'l Nixon's Brigade leads. Hunting- 
ton's follows and Parson's brings up the 
rear. Nixon will throw out a vanguard. 
Parson and Huntington will furnish a rear 
guard. 

"As there is no forage between this and 
Deacon Gaylord's, the General desires the 
troops will be in motion as early as possible. 

"The two Connecticut Brigades will halt 
at the Cross Road near headquarters to let 
Gen'l Nixon's Brigade pass by them. The 
Route will be by Headquarters to Col. 
Morehouses then to Deacon Gaylord, re- 
peating the continuance of the Route al- 
ready given." 

Fourth : Gen'l Rufus Putnam in a letter 
to Washington, Oct. 15th, reporting the 
most feasible and convenient halting places 
on the route to Boston, furnishes this de- 
scription: "From the Park by Headquar- 
ters to Deacon Gailers, 13 miles. On this 
route the road is very good. 20 miles to 
New Milford. The hills very few and easy 
of ascent." 

Fifth: The maps, whose ' accuracy and 
authenticity is supported by the prevailing 
system of roads. 

Sixth: The letter (Boardman letter) 
read before the Quaker Hill conference, 
1901. ^ 

Seventh: The Sarah Morris' letter re- 
cently quoted and printed. 



Eighth : The payment of cash to John 
Keene for the use of his house, etc. 

CHnton, in giving the location of the 
troops, is in accordance with the facts. The 
system of correspondence in vogue, the 
means of conveying information rapidly for 
the time, it is improbable that Gov. Clinton 
could have been mistaken. 

The Fisher Journal quoted as authority 
by others, kept by one who belonged to 
Washington's Life Guard, it is not hardly 
possible that he could have been mistaken 
in his knowledge of the movements of his 
General, or where the Headquarters were. 

The order directing the march of Gen- 
eral McDougall towards Boston leaves no 
doubt of the direction taken and traveled. 

The letter of Gen'l Rufus Putnam, de- 
scribing the route, and in that letter informa- 
ing Washington that if he had received his 
letter sooner, he would have been more 
particular, but the report then made he 
considered sufficiently accurate and would 
prove no material detriment to the service. 

The maps hardly admit of a question 
that the maker of them had definite and 
personal knowledge of their courses and 
direction, the locations, prominent features 
and habitations then existing. 

The letters of Boardman and Morris of 
such date, no deposition can be maintained 
against their truthfulness. 

The entry in the expense book correctly 
given, admits of no question as to use. 

These authorities are sufficient, ample and 
conclusive to prove and set at rest, the loca- 
tion of the Headquarters of Washington at 

12 



Fredericksburg from Sept. 25th to Nov. 
28th, 1 778, at John Kane's and at no other 
place. 

COMMAND OF THE ARMY. 

Orders were issued Sept. 7th, ''For the 
present and until circumstances will admit 
of a more perfect arrangement, the Army 
is to be divided and commanded as follows : 

Woodford's, Muhlenberg's and Scott's 
Brigades by Maj. Gen'l Putnam. 

Poor's late Learned's and Patterson's by 
Maj. Gen'l Gates. 

Parson's and Huntington's by Maj. Gen'l 
Lincoln. 

Smallwood's and 2nd Maryland bv Maj. 
Gen'l DeKalb. 

Nixon's and the North Carolina Brigade 
by Maj. Gen'l McDougall. The strength of 
the Army shown by the returns of the 
Grand Army, under command of General 
Washington, dated at Fredericksburg, Nov. 
1st, 1778, and Nov. 15th, 1778, show the 
total of officers and men fit for duty on 
these dates to have been 13,461 and 13,366 
respectively. 

MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY. 

When the American Army went into win- 
ter quarters at Valley Forge, the cause of 
American Independence was at a low ebb. 
Naked, barefooted, pinched with hunger, it 
wanted everything- to make it an ideal army 
except indomitable courage and inflexible 
purpose. These it had. 

The poverty and distress of the memor- 
able winter was not so much due to the 

13 



poverty of the Country as to the inefficiency 
of the Commissary and Quartermaster de- 
partments, and to the inattention and inter- 
ference of Congress. Yet with all of its 
privations, when the news of the French 
Alliance was heralded, it was a day of 
jubilee, as if for some victory, although the 
pomp and circumstance of war was want- 
ing. A Council of War was called May 8th 
to determine future operations, whether it 
was expedient to take the field or act on 
the defensive. Taking into consideration the 
strength of the enemy and the available 
force of the American Army, the Council 
decided not to engage in any offensive oper- 
ations. Not long to wait, however, before 
events changed the aspect of affairs. The 
British evacuating Philadelphia, Washing- 
ton, on learning the facts, put his Army 
in motion, came up with the British and 
fought the Battle of Monmouth the 28th 
of June, rested his Army and on the 2nd 
of July, began his march northward and 
arrived in the vicinity of White Plains on 
the 24th of July, to remain until the march 
to Fredericksburg began the morning of 
the 1 6th of September. 

First mention of troops at Fredericks- 
burg is found in the Brigade Orders for 
Gen'l Parson's brigade, dated at camp: 

Fredericksburg, July 22nd, 1777. The 
officers were instructed to take particular 
care that no injury was done under the pre- 
tense of their being enemies to the cause, 
that there be no complaint on the march or 
in camp, of fences being destroyed or dam- 
age done. The detail for the day were or- 



14 



dered "To parade to-morrow at one o'clock 
at ye Church with three days' provisions,'* 

The orders of the 23rd detailed the duties 
of the day, provided for a guard from each 
regiment, to prevent the horses and oxen 
from being stolen or breaking into enclos- 
ures, and doing unnecessary damage, "the 
unavoidable destruction of an army in its 
progress is but too great without the addi- 
tional evil of criminal negligence for wanton 
depredations." 

Putnam's general orders. 

Parson's brigade was ordered to return 
to its old camping ground near Peekskill, 
this position on the loth of July was on the 
left, between headquarters and Col. Drakes, 
probably remaining in Fredericksburg only 
a few days, as the Brigades on the 27th 
of July were ordered "to be thoroughly 
equipped and to hold themselves in readi- 
ness to march at the shortest notice." 

No other movement of the troops oc- 
curred except that of the militia, until the 
arrival of the Continental Troops, which 
probably occurred on the 19th of Septem- 
ber. While the orders for the day of Nov. 
25th concludes with, "The Army marching 
by Brigades into winter quarters," it was 
not until the 30th of November that Gen'l 
Parson left Fredericksburgh for winter 
quarters at Redding. After this no con- 
siderable body of troops remained at Fred- 
ericksburgh. 



THE ORDER OF MARCH. 

The order of march to Fredericksburgh 
was issued at White Plains, Sept. 15, 1778, 
and designated after orders. 

1st: The whole army will march to-mor- 
row morning at seven o'clock. The General 
will beat at five, the troop at six and the 
march at seven precisely. 

2nd: The baggage will precede the 
troops the first day. Provisions and forage 
wagons going in the front. 

3rd: The Park of Artillery will march 
with the second line between Parson's and 
Clinton's Brigades. 

4th : The Commander-in-chief's bag- 
gage, with the baggage of all the General 
Staff and Flying Hospital are also to march 
with the second line in the order, which 
will be particularly pointed out by the Quar- 
termaster General. 

5th: The Quartermaster General and 
Commissary General will divide the stores 
in their respective departments to the sev- 
eral columns which will lead the columns 
of baggage. 

6th : Col. Sheldon, with all the cavalry 
on the ea§t side of the North River will 
join Gen'l Scott. 

7th: The Quartermaster General will 
give the particular order of march to be 
observed by each division. 

8th : The troops are to be furnished with 
three days bread." 

The Order of the Day concluding with 
''The Army marching by Divisions to Fred- 
ericksburg, &c." 

Diligent search and correspondence fails 

16 



to discover the particular Order of March. 
Only by inference, the route is located, from 
Col. Chambers orderly book, and reference 
in the Fisher Journal. On the i6th at 
Wright's Mills, the i8th at Bedford and at 
the Reynold's house, the 19th Hayet's in 
Cortland Manor, the 20th Fowler's house. 
Orders of Lord Sterling, these places, prob- 
ably his headquarters during the march. 
The Life Guards marched from White 
Plains to Mr. Raymond's in Bedford, 16 
miles, the i6th. Fifteen miles the i8th and 
reached Fredericksburgh, this probably was 
the precinct of, and on the 19th, thirteen 
miles to ''Reed's field in the Oblong." 

THE REASON WHY. 

While Washington entertained the view 
that the enemy had two capital objects in 
contemplation, and the possible results, his 
letter to the President of Congress, dated 
at White Plains, Sept. 13th, 1778, affords 
the best possible motive, placing the Army 
at Fredericksburgh. 

"In consequence of this (British devasta- 
tion in the vicinity of Bedford) and from an 
apprehension that General Clinton might 
possibly mean to operate to the eastward, 
and from some project in concert with Lord 
Howe against Count d' Estaing's Squadron, 
I determined to move the troops from this 
ground to a rear position, better calculated 
to afford support to the works on the North 
River in case of an attempt should be made 
against them, and at the same time more 
convenient for forwarding detachments 

17 



eastward, if the enemy point their opera- 
tions that way. 

"I was the more induced to come to this 
determination as most of the accounts from 
New York seem to lead to a beHef, as they 
still do, that a considerable movement was 
and is in contemplation, if not an entire 
evacuation of the cit}^ and this by water. 

"Besides these reasons the principal ob- 
jects for taking post here do not now ex- 
ist. One was to create every possible jeal- 
ousy in favor of the expedition against 
Rhode Island, another the consuming of the 
forage within its vicinity and towards 
King's bridge. The former is now over, 
and the latter is in a great degree accom- 
plished." 

THE ARMY WHERE ENCAMPED. 

In a general way, the location is largely 
traditional. 

The marching orders to Nixon, Hunting- 
ton and Parsons, they were south of the 
headquarters, the artillery on the farm, now 
belonging to Peter Baldwin. 

Four Brigades were upon the farm of 
Thos. Menzies. Evidences found and re- 
lated by the late Riley Turner, troops were 
on the farm of Col. Henry Ludington, and 
in this vicinity as stated by local historians. 
While it is more than probable, every loca- 
tion named on the maps was occupied by 
the officers and others attached to the army. 
No other conclusion seems possible. 



i8 



SUBSISTENCE OF THE ARMY. 

No question gave Washington greater 
concern than the subsisting of the Army. 
It was one of the first to have consideration 
at Fredericksburg. 

To Vice-President George Bryan, he 
wrote : "The important article of forage, the 
great difficulty in obtaining, owing to the 
reluctance of the holders to part with it, 
the exhorbitant and enormous prices they 
demand for it, unless some means are pro- 
vided to obtain it with more certainty and 
at more moderate prices, it will be impos- 
sible for it (the army) to exist long, while 
this condition existed. Another reason ex- 
isted for the scanty supply, the absence of 
the militia prevented threshing, while the 
better disposed of the farmers were wilHng 
to sell, if it were not for the fact their more 
avaricious neighbors would obtain higher 
prices, unwilling to lose any advantage ex- 
perience had taught them, by withholding 
their commodities from the market." The 
use of wheat had been prohibited by Con- 
gress and the restrictive laws of the States 
rendered it impossible to obtain a sufficient 
supply unless further aid was invoked, the 
Quartermaster General notwithstanding, we 
see the country full of forage, he wrote 
Washington, "he was under the necessity to 
call for a warrant to impress such quantities 
as he found deficient." 

The warrant was issued the 20th of No- 
vember, authorizing the Commissary of 
Forage to impress the amount necessary 
from the inhabitants in the vicinity of camp, 
on the borders of Connecticut and on the 

19 



route through the Jerseys, and to pay. the 
established price. The orders were to take 
an equal share from each farm and to take 
care not to insult or injure the inhabitants. 

CONDITION OF THE ARMY. 

Putnam, who had been relieved of his 
command pending the inquiry who was re- 
sponsible for the loss of the forts on the 
Hudson, was restored. Humphrey, his 
biographer, sa3^s : ''This was soon after the 
Battle of Monmouth. When the three 
armies, which last year had acted separ- 
ately joined at White Plains, our effective 
force in one camp was at no other time so 
respectable as at this juncture." General 
Parsons wrote his friend Mumford: "To 
the immortal honor of Great Britain, she 
has expended nearly 30 millions sterling, 
wasted her best blood, transported a greater 
army than ever before passed the Atlantic, 
in three campaigns conquered the capitals 
of five States, fought ten battles, lost one 
army prisoner, another by death, and at the 
opening of the fourth campaign may secure 
a City strongly fortified sufficient to cover 
20,000 men from immediate destruction. 
The army is now united. '" * '^ I assure 
you it would afford you great satisfaction 
to see them and compare their situation with 
two years ago in this place." **A marvelous 
change, and is to be ascribed to that Just 
Being who directs all events." 

Baron Steubens to President Laurens, 
dated at Fredericksburgh : "Let us now 
drop this subject (Inspection of the Army) 
and examine the present situation of our 



Military Affairs. Do not suffer yourself to 
be dazzled by the accounts of the strength 
of our Regiments and Brigades. At least 
a third of them are unable to suffer the 
fatigue of a march in this season when the 
nights begin to grow cold and damp, and, 
that for the want of clothes, even shoes and 
stocking. I don't fear displeasing you by 
laying the naked truth before your eyes, on 
the contrary, I think it my duty not to 
suffer 3^ou to be ignorant of the true state 
of our Army." 

Gen'l Wayne to Rob't Morris, Oct. 5, 
1778: 

"I wish with you it had been in your 
power, to give full satisfaction to our poor 
worthy fellows, the articles of clothing — 
their distresses are great," and to the offi- 
cers, "They seem desirous of catching any 
pretext for quitting the service which has 
or soon will reduce them to beggary and 
want." 

The relief. ''The General is deeply sen- 
sible of the sufferings of the Army, he 
leaves no expedient unassayed to relieve 
them and he is persuaded Congress and the 
several Stats are doing everything in their 
power for the same purpose." 

PUNISHMENTS.* 

Many no doubt will be surprised to know 
how severe and stern was the martial law 
during the Revolution and with what sev- 
erity its penalties were inflicted. 

One hundred lashes on the bare back 



* Bolton's Private Soldier. 



well laid on, stood for the penalty next to 
death penalty. Yet upon the sullen and 
wilful transgressor it made but little impres- 
sion. One instance is given. Two soldiers 
in March, 1778, were sentenced to one hun- 
dred lashes each, fifty per day, and one of 
them to be well washed with salt, when he 
had received his last fifty. 

Five were whipped at Fredericksburgh. 
One hung, and others reprimanded and dis- 
charged from service. 

These penalties were not due to the stern- 
ness of the times, they were the British 
Code, and prevailed from the Provincial 
Armies into those of the Revolution. It 
was not the season to try experiments, when 
every sinew of discipline and efficiency was 
strained to the utmost. 

COUNCILS OF WAR. 

Previous to the march to Fredericksburg, 
two councils of war were held, one the 25th 
of July, 1778, at Reuben Wrights, near 
White Plains, and the other September ist, 
1778, at White Plains. The third Council 
of War was assembled at Fredericksburg 
1 6th of October, 1778. 

Washington, who had been waiting im- 
patiently for the movements of the enemy, 
that he might ascertain their intention, 
addressed a circular letter October 14th, to 
Putnam, Stirling, DeKalb, Clinton, Wood- 
ford and Muhlenberg containing the main 
propositions to be considered, and these 
were, "the security of the army, the protec- 
tion of the country, the support of import- 
ant posts, the relation which ought to be 



preserved with the French fleet, the main 
questions to be decided, whether the Army 
should be kept in a collected state and 
where, whether it should be distributed into 
cantonments and in what manner and 
places, and how soon it shall enter into 
quarters and what precautions shall be used 
with respect to covering provisions and 
forage." 

The same questions were submitted to the 
Council on the i6th and requested the ad- 
vice of the officers present, Maj. Gen'ls 
Gates, Greene, DeKalb, McDougall, Steu- 
ben, Brig. Gen'ls Nixon, Parsons, Small- 
wood, Knox, Patterson, Wayne and Hand. 
Written opinions were returned. 

The Quartermaster General, Gen'l Greene, 
desired to know the intentions of Washing- 
ton in order to enable him to make neces- 
sary preparation, was informed "That upon 
full consideration of the subject and a 
comparison of the opinions of the General 
Officers upon cantoning the Army for the 
winter, I am led to fix upon three places, 
Danbury, West Point and its vicinities upon 
both sides of the river, and Middlebrook in 
Jersey. Washington's letter of the 27th 
of November to the President of Congress, 
contains the final disposition and the fol- 
lowing last order issued at Fredericksburgh, 
the movement is, the "Army marching by 
Brigade into winter quarters." 

One of the interesting Journals of the 
Revolution, the only one found containing 
a record of occurrences here, bears this 
title : 



23 



"Elijah Fisher's Book." 

"Wherein is a memorandum of his Trav- 
els and Preseedings of Events that was 
worthy a Remark that has not slipt Mem- 
mary Since May, 1775, until now." 

Sylvester, Feb. 4, 1784. 

He was a member of Washington's Life 
Guard. His Journal was printed in Au- 
gusta, Maine, 1880. 

The events recorded in many instances 
are found in accordance with official records. 



ELIJAH FISHER'S JOURNAL. 

1775-1784. 

Sept. 16, 1778, p. 9 : 

"We left the White Plains and March- 
ing through North Castel and after six- 
teen miles March we came to Mr. Rage- 
mand in Bedford. 

i8th: 

We left Bedford and Marched and came 
to Fredrexburg after the March of fifteen 
miles and Pitched our tents. 

Page 10, the 19th: 

We left Fredericksburg and after thirteen 
miles march we pitched our tents at Mr. 
Reed's field in oblong. 

The 25th : 

Head Quarters and likewise the guard 
left Oblong and come to Mr. Cain's in 
Fredrexburg four miles and pitched tents. 

The 20th : 

A large Detachment under Command of 
Gen. Lord Stirling Marched for the Jar- 
seys, Capt. Levenston his adde Camp. 

24 



The 30th : 

His Excellency with his adde camps went 
to the FishKills. 

October ist: 

I had a pass for five Days to go to New 
Milford (Mr. N. Fisher) to see a relation 
of mine. 

The 5th : 

As I was returning from New Milford 
Missed my way which Detained me. 

The 6th : 

I returned and Jines the guard again and 
at my Return I finds an alteration in the 
Dress of my Mates. I asked one of them, 
I Herrick, it Seams as though there had 
been an Alteration Since I had been gone. 
He said, that he had that Money sent to 
him that he sent for (Now I know that he 
had Sent for Som Money from his father) 
I said I was glad off it for I hoped we 
Should not be so puttout for money to bye 
things with now and that you now will 
be able to pay me that trifill you* owe me 
(Sixteen Dollars) he said he hoped he 
Should. 

Presently in comes one or two more I 
said have you had money Sent you from 
home too I fear that you have taken some 
other way to git it than that, then Harrick 
Said as, I. Herrin was out after things for 
the Genarl's Famely (now Herrin was one 
that was sent after to bye things for the 
Genarl's Family and he had a horse and 
a pass to go where he Could git such things 
as wanted for the Genral's Famely) he 
Come to an old Tory's house and they 
would not Let him have anything and he 



25 



See Several things that he wanted so when 
he Come home he gos and to his Messmates 
and takes them and they gos and robed him 
of Several things. I said that whether he 
was a tory or not If it should be found out 
(which such things as Robery Seldim is) 
Some or all of you will be hung Which 
Surprisd them very much but there was no 
more heard about it. 

The 8th: 

His Exelency and Addecamp returned 
from Fishkill to Mr. Cane's. 

Page lo, the 17th: 

In Remembrance of Gen Burgoins De- 
feet the Day was Selebrated with the firing 
of Canon and in throing of Skilokets in 
the are thirteen was fired then they begun 
to through the skilolets and a merry Day 
they hadd too at the Park of Artillery. At 
night Some of the Guard was a going to 
the park, Col Harrisons waiter was a com- 
ing from there under way, run over one of 
them, which hurt him so that he died the 
Same Night. 

The i8th: 

John Lovjoy the man that was killed by 
the horse was Desently Burried. There was 
them four that was Said that Robed the 
Tory brought to an Examination viz John 
Herron, John Herrick, Moses Walton and 
Elias Brown. The Same day John Strog- 
dal one of the Guard was to Mr. Howlens 
and he was a telling him how that he had 
been Robed So and So at Such a time and 
that the liver that the men had on that 
Robed him was a round hatter with a piece 
of Bare Skin on it but they ware all blacked 

26 



and that he had made Enquirey through the 
army but Could not find any that wore such 
hats but the guard asked him if he had seen 
any of the guard more fuller of money than 
usual he said he did not Know but he had 
but Did not know how they Come by it. 
The man said that he did not want any 
hurt upon his account for he Knew that 
they would be hung if they were found out 
and told Stogdal that if he would find the 
things and put them where he mite find 
them he would say no more about it. Stog- 
dal gos home to the guard and was Con- 
sulting with one of his messmates about it 
for they had Destroyed a Part of the things 
and if they did anything about it it would 
bring it all out. In the meen while there 
Come Mr. Howage to the officers of the 
guard on Suspicion that Some one had 
Robed him (for they Robed one on Friday 
Night and the other on Monday Night) and 
as they was a talking about it one of the 
waiters Come and Told them that Strogdal 
knew Something about them. He was 
Called and Exemend but he tryed to hide 
what he could but they told him that if he 
Did not tell all he Knew about it he would 
be taken up on Suspicion and fare acord- 
ingly then he thought it would be known 
and if he Did not tell about it What he 
knew it would bring him into Difficulty so 
he up and tells all that he knew Consarning 
the affare then they Sends an Confined Her- 
rick and Brown and Sends Sarjt • Harris 
with two Lite horse men into the Country 
after Walton that was not well and he was 
abed and asleep and they tells the wooman 



27 



that they wanted a Candle and so they gos 
up Chamber and Stands over him with there 
Swords drawn in there hands and awakes 
him and told him he was there prisoner and 
he gits up and had a pare of Bearskin 
Breeches that they got to Mr. Howlens So 
they feches him to the gard and Confinds 
him with the others and Herrin was out 
and having a general pass they were afrade 
that he would hear of it So they Sends to 
a place where he Did Sometimes Reside 
but he being not there they Returned. 

The 19th: 

The next morning Leut Livinstone was 
to the Park of Artilery (Herrin in his re- 
turn from the Country Come by there) 
Sends a man with him for fear he would 
make his Escape So he was garded to Head 
Quarters and Confind with the others. The 
same Day they was Examend and Herrick 
Said that he was loth to go after they had 
Set out and Gon a little way he would fane 
have had them gon back but they told him 
that if he did not go that they would De- 
spach him for they would not have him 
Enform against them So he was obliged to 
go So he turned States Evedence against 
the others So after Examination was found 
gilty and what things that Could be found 
that they had not Desposed of was Restored 
to them again that they belonged too and 
where they had Payd any Dets they was 
obliged to Restore it to them again and 
they to the ones they got it from, then the 
Same day they was all sent to the purvey 
guard. 

28 



The 22nd: 

They all had ther Tryel and Herrin, Wal- 
ton and Brown was sentenst to be hung 
and Herrick to have a Hundred Lashes. 
Walton made his escape from the purvey 
gard and Herrin was hung at FishKills and 
Brown made his escape from the gard that 
was sent to gard him to the Place of Exe- 
cusion to New Milford to the part of the 
army that lay there. Herrick was carried 
to Fredrixburg and had a hundred Lashes. 

The 23rd: 

Gen. Patison's, Gen. Huntington's and 
Gen. Nixon's Brigades Marched to Hart- 
ford save Col. Parson's Reg't that went 
onward. 

The 24th : 

The Gard Marcht down to Fredrexburg 
to see a man hung for Robing he was Exe- 
cuted at Eleven in the fournoon, Thomas 
Glover by Name and there was five Whipt 
One Hundred lashes apease all Save one 
for Robing two of them belonged to the 
Gard, viz. John Harrick and Joseph Tim- 
berlake was for Striking an Officer. 

The 25th : 

The Pensylvania Troops Marcht for the 
Jarseys. 

The 26th : 

Gen. Nocks Parke of Artilery Marched 
for the Jarseys. 

Nov. 28th: 

His Exelency and also his Gard left 
29 



Fredericksburg and Marched for the Jar- 
says and at Night we Pitcht our tents by 
Clane's Tavern in Philipespatten after a 
March of Sixteen Miles." 

Note— Sept. i6th to Nov. 28th, Elijah 
Fisher's Journal. Pages 9 to 11. 



30 



KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY, 

Washington's knowledge of the country 
was as definite and accurate as possible to 
obtain except by personal inspection. 

During the summer of 1778, while the 
Army lay at White Plains, Rufus Putnam 
reconnoitered the country about Fredricks- 
burgh and Quaker hill, and made sketches 
and plans for use, and, after, completing 
examination of the roads and passes to- 
ward Boston and reporting to McDougall, 
he was ordered to continue his examination 
and to report his observations direct to 
Washington. 

When it was suggested to Congress that 
the Army should have a good Geographer 
"to survey the roads and make sketches of 
the country where the Army is to act, while 
extremely useful and might be attended 
with valuable results," Washington's recom- 
mendation of Erskine was urged, "because 
he is thoroughly skilled in his business, has 
already assisted us in makitig maps of the 
Country." After the death of Erskine, in 
recommending DeWitt "Who being in the 
department gives him a pretension and his 
abilities are still better, and from whot I 
have seen of his performances, he seems 
to be extremely well qualified," leaves no 
doubt that these men had certain and par- 
ticular knowledg of this section, and Wash- 
ington acted upon the knowledge they 
imparted. 

Letter in Public Library, N. Y., Col. 
Hamilton to Lord Stirling, Sept. 20th. 

31 



THE QUAKER HILL HOSPITAL. 

Whatever description and history there 
may be of the Quaker Hill Church, as a 
church, there is but little of record as a 
hospital. The historians have treated only 
in a general way, the medical department of 
the Revolution. This is particularly true 
of the Quaker Hill Hospital. The record 
and pension office of the War Department 
states : "An exhaustive search of the Revo- 
lutionary war records in this office have re- 
sulted in failure to find any information 
relative to the Quaker Hill Hospital, Dutch- 
ess Co., N. Y., Revolutionary War." 

The only official record is that of Wash- 
ington's order, Oct. i6th: ''No more sick 
to be sent to the Hospital at Quaker Hill, 
without first inquiring of the Chief Surgeon 
there whether they can be received, as the 
house is already full." This order was re- 
peated the same day in McDougall's divi- 
sion orders. 

The conditions existing, the prejudices 
prevailing, and the probable number in the 
hospital. Dr. Fallon's letter to Gov. Clinton, 
furnishes the only account known to exist. 
"Out of the I GO sick. Providence took but 
three of my people off since I came here, 
which was far from the case before my 
arrival." On the occasion of the arrival 
of Col. Palfrey, the Paymaster General, at 
Boston from Fredericksburgh ; General 
Gates writing to Gen'l Sullivan : "I am 
shocked at our poor fellows being still en- 

32 



HBHQ|^p.-'>' V 


^m 






1 


k*, .' 




^^B 


^^^K 




Ki 


w»- 



camped and falling sick by the hundreds." 

The death list: Out of the oblivion of 
the past but four names have been found: 
John Morgan, Capt. James Grier's Co., died 
at Quaker Hill Hospital Oct. 19, 1777. ( ?) 

Alexander Robert, Capt. Geo. Calhoun's 
Co., 4th Pa., Nov. 6, 1778. 

James Tryer, Capt. James Lang's Co., 
5th Pa., Oct. 22, 1778. 

Peter King, ist Pa., enlisted 1777, Quaker 
Hill Hospital, N. J.,( ?) 1778 (no such 
hospital). 

Some doubt may exist as to two of these, 
but as the hospital is named, an error may 
exist in copying the original record. Let 
us believe they died here and lie buried in 
the opposite premises, unknown and in 
nameless graves, companions of the untold 
number. Lest we forget, let us remember 
that these heroes died for liberty, that they 
died for us. They sleep in the land they 
made free under the flag they created, the 
stainless emblem that has not gone down 
to defeat. They sleep beneath the shadows 
of the clouds regardless of the sunshine 
or storm, unmindful of the Joy of Victory 
are the Shadow of Sorrow or defeat. Let 
us remember that the mother gave her son, 
the wife her husband, the betrothed her be- 
loved, that the conquering leader lives in 
history, the conquering soldier sleeps, name- 
less. They were engaged in a great con- 
flict, it had mighty sorrows, it had its un- 
uttered joys. This nation stands for the 
right and truth. It has had its conflicts, 
its sacrifices, and its triumphs. Let us then 
erect to these men and their unknown com- 

33 



panions, a memorial that shall remind us 
of their sacrifices, their services and the con- 
sequence to mankind, and let it be engraved 
with a pen of iron in the rock, that it may- 
endure forever. 



WASHINGTON'S ORDERLY BOOK 

Covering the period when he was in this 
section is in the Library of Congress and is 
described in the Calendar of Washington 
Manuscripts, p. 47, as follows : 

1778. Washington, George, General and 
Commander in Chief. Orderly Book 1778 
Jan. I -Dec. 31, 1778 Containing the "Orders 
issued by his Excellency, General Wash- 
ington. Anno Domini 1778 Copied by Capt. 
John Singer Dexter A(ssistant) A(dju- 
tant) G(eneral)" Exd by Alex'd Scammell 
A(djutant) G(eneral)" i Vol. Fo. pp. 439, 
21 Indexed. 

I have a verified copy of pp. 372 to 419 
inclusive, dated Sept. 15 to Nov. 25, 1778. 
The first order is dated at Hdqrs. at White 
Plains Sept. 15th. The last at Fredericks- 
burgh, dated Wednesday, Nov. 25th, 1778. 
The orders include the order to March to 
Fredericksburgh, the determination of rank, 
Court-martials, promotions, dismissals from 
the service, the infliction of the death pen- 
alty, the celebration of the Surrender of 
Burgoyne, Pardons, executions, reprimands, 
notice of a drawing of the U. S. Lottery 
and other interesting items. Among them, 
the order of the 20th of October, a most in- 
teresting one, is quoted indicating the char- 

34 



acter and purity of Washington. "Purity 
of Morals being the only sure foundation 
of publick happiness in any Country and 
highly conducive to order, subordination 
and success in an Army, it will be well 
worthy the emulation of officers of any rank 
and class to encourage it both by the influ- 
ence of example and the penalties of Au- 
thority. It is painful to see many shameful 
instances of Riot and Licentiousness among 
us. The wanton practice of swearing has 
risen to a most disgusting height. A regard 
for decency should conspire, with a sense of 
morality to vanish a vice productive of 
neither advantage or pleasure. The fre- 
quent robberies which have lately prevailed 
in the vicinity of Camp are truly alarming 
and demand the most vigilant exertion to 
detect the perpetrators and bring them to 
the severest punishment." 

The order of Oct. 23rd contains the find- 
ings and sentences of the Court Martial 
convened on the 15th and are chiefly inter- 
esting to this section, as to the sentences 
imposed upon the soldiers. Hateevil Col- 
son for robbing Reuben Crosby; Moses 
Walton, John Herring, Elias Brown for 
robbing Prince Rowland, and John Herrick 
for robbing John Hoag. Herring and Wal- 
ton to suffer death. Brown and Colson, one 
hundred lashes on the bare back well laid 
on." 

"His Excellency, the Commander in chief 
approves these sentences. Shock at the 
frequent horrible villanies of this nature 
committed by the troops of late, he is de- 
termined to make examples which will deter 

35 



the boldest and most hardened offenders. 
Men who are called by their Country to 
defend the Rights and property of their fel- 
low citizens, who are abandoned enough to 
violate those rights and plunder that pro- 
perty deserve, and shall receive no mercy." 



EXPENSE BOOK. 

One of the Washington's papers in the 
possession of the Treasury Department is 
an expense book bearing the inscription: 
"Daily Expenses. Kept by Caleb Gibbs." 
Daily purchases of articles of food are the 
principal items. Few of the entires are 
amounts paid to individuals for other 
purposes. 

In 1901, I made a personal examination 
of this book and made some extracts bear- 
ing upon the events and the time when 
Washington was here. Some doubt hav- 
ing been expressed that the items were 
incorrect, during the summer I have had 
another examination made by an expert, of 
the personal items confirming my examina- 
tions. 

Item Nov. 17th. To Mr. Reed Ferris 
Account of the 25th Sept., '78, for articles 
had for the family's use as per bill £20 is. 

A liberal interpretation of this account in 
the absence of the bill, means some commo- 
dity, something tangible and measurable. 

"Had for the family's use." The officers 
of a General's Staff immediately about his 
person are termed in military phrase, his 
family. It is not probable that Washington 
had his own immediate and personal family 

36 



here. These articles were for the use of 
Washington, his staff, his military and not 
personal family. 

The rendering of the bill, the 25th Sept., 
the day the life guard states the headquar- 
ters left the Oblong and went to Mr. 
Kane's, terminated all transactions and sev- 
ered all connections with Reed Ferris. 

Item Nov. 28th. To Cash paid Mr. John 
Kane, for the use of his house, &c., 144 
Dollars. £57 12s. 

Washington left Fredericksburgh the 
morning of the 28th of November, this bill 
being paid the day of departure, can have 
the one construction only, that he had had 
the use and occupancy of the house of John 
Kane. It is not admissable, it could mean 
horse hire, as it has been stated, the return 
of horses Dec. ist, 1778, Washington had 
for his and family use, 30 horses besides 
three teams for the family and guard, not 
including the horses belonging to the other 
officers of the Army who had their required 
number" 



THE 17TH OCTOBER. 

The Colonists and the American Army 
had just cause to celebrate this day, desig- 
nated by Washington as the "glorious 
Anniversary of the surrender of General 
Burgoyne and his troops to the Arms of 
America." This day. Dearborn in his Jour- 
nal, states, "The Great Burgoyne with his 
whole army surrendered themselves pris- 
oners of War, with all their Public Stores, 

2>7 



and after grounding their arms marched off 
for New England, the greatest conquest 
ever known." 

Boardman tells us that there was a grand 
parade and festival, the tables were set 
under a long shade of green boughs, and 
when the general arrived, the spectators 
dismounted and took their stand outside of 
the assembly of officers, who joined in 
numerous parties in conversation for a long 
time before dinner was served." 

Fisher in his Journal tells us, "in remem- 
brance of Gen'l Burgoyne's defeat, the day 
was celebrated with the firing of cannon and 
the throwing of sky rockets ..." "and 
a merry day they had too at the Park of 
Artillery." 

The day was celebrated by the Division 
under Gen'l Bates at Danbury. Dearborn's 
Journal gives us a more particular account 
of this and from it we may judge what kind 
of a day, the merry day at Fredericksburgh 
was. 

"17th. This being the first anniversary 
of the glorious 17th of October, 1777, the 
field officers of this Division make an enter- 
tainment for all the officers of the Division 
and gentlemen of the town. We eat dinner 
on a small hill between two of the brigades. 
After, the officers of the three brigades had 
asembled on the hill by marching in Divi- 
sions 13 in each. 13 cannon were dis- 
charged from each brigade at which time 
Gen'l Gates arrived with a number of other 
Gen'l Officers, there was then three cheers 
from the whole Division. At dinner we 
had about 350 Officers and other gentle- 

38 



men. After dinner there was 13 toasts 
drank and a cannon discharged for each. 
At evening, we retired to the town and 
spent the evening very agreeably. 
i8th. "We are getting sober." 



GENERAL WAYNE. 

The State Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania controls the papers of Gen'l Wayne 
with a restriction, none to be given out until 
the Society itself is able to publish them. 
There are twenty-five or more letters be- 
sides other papers, written or dated at Fred- 
ericksburg. What they may contain, no 
information can be given. We are entirely 
without data of this ideal General of the 
Revolution, dated at and pertaining to 
Fredericksburgh. Early in the Revolution 
he maintained this idea of the soldier: "For 
the Colonel lays it down as a position that 
every soldier who neglects to appear as 
decent as the nature of his situation will 
admit, is unfit for gentlemen's company and 
is a coward. Soldiers are ever held in the 
light of gentlement and if it is the power 
of the Colonel, his people shall support that 
character." Pa. Archives, Vol. 10, p. 117. 
He insisted upon this, and his orders were 
while here that his men should be in the 
most soldierly manner possible. His head- 
quarters were at the house of Benjamin 
Haviland. Here he summoned Henry and 
Jam.es Birdsell and William March to pre- 
sent their account of an assault upon them 
by some of the officers of this division. 

39 



These officers were arrested, tried by court- 
martial, who, complaining they were de- 
prived of the benefit of Military law, he 
answered : "You certainly cannot be ignor- 
ant of the superior power of the Civil law 
over the Military. You have been guilty of 
exercising the Military law over the peace- 
able inhabitants of this State, the Governor 
demands you to be given up to the Civil 
power. It has never been deemed honor- 
able for armed men to assault or wound 
unarmed men in any time whatever, but has 
been particularly reprobated in the Army.'^ 

When the Convention troops were on the 
march to Virginia, they were escorted to 
the state line by the militia. The Connecti- 
cut militia were unwilling to march further 
than the border. Col. Bland in command 
informed Washington of the possible de- 
lay. He ordered Wayne to send 500 men 
of his Command with the least possible de- 
lay to Sharon to meet and escort the Con- 
vention troops. Wayne with them, sent this 
message, ''Dear Bland : I find that the Con- 
necticut militia, are militia, I send you 
soldiers. Lieut. Col. Hay who commands 
is an Irishman and a soldier." 

The division orders for Oct. 22 were for 
the whole of the troops to parade under 
arms Saturday morning. The commanding 
officers received the order of maneuvers for 
the day and are herewith given: 

"The Division formed for charging will 
wheel by Platoons to the Left and march 
to the exercising grounds, the light Infantry 
in front formed in Platoons. The follow- 
ing words of Command will be given : Form 

40 



Divisions, Close Column. At all times when 
the colmun is marching to the points of 
view, the Lt. Infantry will advance and 
skirmish, ranging themselves loo yards in 
front of the points of view, and retreat as 
the columns display. Display Columns. To 
the right face firing usual. 

''Forward, March, March, March, Charge 
Bayonets. Battl. Halt. Two Volleys will 
be fired. By platoons to the right wheel 
march. Form Division. Close Column. 
The Column closes except 4 platoons on 
the left of the ist Brigade and 4 Platoons 
on the left of the Second Brigade, who will 
remain in open order. 

"When marching to the points of view, 
the lead of the first and second Brigade 
Dresses with the lead of the first Brigade. 

''Display Column to the right and left 
face. The first Brigade Displays to the 
right, the four platoons of the first Brigade 
face to the right. March to the extremity 
of the Line, face to the left. Close Column. 
Wheel to the right and Display to the Right 
on the 4th Platoon. The 4 Platoons of the 
2nd Brigade face to the left. March to the 
extremity of the Line, face to the Right, 
and wheel by Patoons to the Left. Firing 
by Battalions — By Brigades, by Divisions. 
When the firing ceases, the flanks wheel 
into Line. Forward, March, March, March. 
Charge Bayonets. Battalions Halt. To the 
Right about face, March, Halt, &c. 

Fire by Divisions advancing. 

Fire by half Battalions, Retreating. 

M. Ryan, 
Major Inspector.*'" 

41 



RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE. 

That there was no religious sentiment in 
the army would be a mistake. General, 
Division and Brigade orders attest to the 
statement. 

Huntington orders, June 28, 1778, "while 
he had the fullest confidence in the ability 
and bravery of his officers and men, doubted 
not they would preserve a cool and deter- 
mined spirit and confiding in the justice of 
their cause and in the God of Heaven, they 
would honor themselves and their Country." 

McDougall with his division at rest near 
New Milford, 1778. 'Xet us not forget our 
God, who has appeared in numerous in- 
stances for us and America; let prayers be 
attended morning and evening at such 
hours as the Commanding Officers shall 
direct, the order to be continually observed 
while the division is encamped. Officers to 
set an example to the men by attending, and 
the guard to patrol the Camp to arrest such 
as shall be found creating any noise or dis- 
order, to the dishonor of God." 

Washington's order to observe the 22nd 
day of April, *'that day had been set aside 
as a day of Fasting Humiliation and 
Prayer, that the righteous dispensation of 
Providence might be acknowledged and His 
goodness and mercy towards our army 
supplicated and implored, directed that the 
day should be most religiously observed." 
"We certainly ought not to be inattentive to 
the higher duties of religion. To the dis- 

42 



tinguished Character of the Patriot it 
should be our highest glory to add the more 
distinguished Character of Christian. The 
instances of Providential Goodness demand 
from us, the warmest gratitude and piety 
to the Supreme Author of all Good." 



WASHINGTON. 

It is a question whether the eulogists of 
the Revolution have fully characterized the 
greatness of the man, Washington. 

Do we sufficiently comprehend the at- 
tainments, the character and the wisdom of 
the man? 

The patient and prayerful Washington 
at Valley Forge, the impetuous and wrath- 
ful Washington at Monmouth, the waiting 
and watching at Fredericksburgh, lead us to 
exclaim, the incomparable man. 

"The changeless attitude and steadfast 
heart during the seven years of trouble and 
gloom which make up the history of the 
Revolution, will be the wonder until the 
end of time." 

Here at Fredericksburgh, we see him ap- 
proving the severest sentences and ordering 
their executions with an unyielding purpose, 
and yet, we find him tempering justice with 
mercy, in all instances. He was pleased to 
pardon a soldier of Gen'l Clinton's Brigade, 
who had been sentenced to be shot to death,, 
pardoning and admonishing him that "The 
recent instances of the many criminals hav- 
ing been executed for breaches of military 
duty, which he hopes will not only deter 

43 



him but every other soldier of the Army 
from violating his solemn obligations." 

His wonderful influence and magical 
power over men, stamped on the memory of 
Boardman, a picture that he saw and never 
forgot, "the greatest man of his or any 
other age." 

Thatcher describing his personal appear- 
ance said "The serenity of his countenance, 
and majestic gracefulness of his deport- 
ment, impart a strong impression of that 
dignity and grandeur which are his pecu- 
liar characteristics, and no one can stand 
in his presence without feeling the ascend- 
ancy of his mind and associating with his 
countenance the idea of wisdom, philan- 
thropy, magnanimty and patriotism." 

How the different classes of people re- 
garded him may be told in brief extracts 
from two letter recently published. One, 
Letter of Peter Colton, "When he sees me 
standing by the door, what do you suppose 
he did. There came over his face one of 
them smiles of his, like the sun breaking 
through the clouds on a wintry day, and he 
slips up and shakes my hand and he says, 
Why here's my old sargeant. And is this 
your boy, a Fine lad, says he. What is his 
Nems. George Washington Colton, says I, 
as proud as a Peacock . . . and yet there 
is some sneaks who ought to be on the gal- 
lows, that says that George Washington is 
cold and haoughty and has no heed for 
the common people." 

The other letter, Enoch Day, "He is 
treacherous in private Friendship, a hypo- 
crite in public life, and the world will be 

44 



puzzled to know whether he is an Apostate 
or an Imposter. Whether he has aban- 
doned his principles or whether he ever 
had any ... It will be a happy day for 
the country, when G. Washington, Charla- 
tan, politcal trickster, Apostate and coward, 
is removed from our midst." 

Letters written on the occasion when 
Washington came to Springfield, 1789. 

He had a clear comprehension of the 
struggle for independence the difficulties 
and hardships to be encountered and ex- 
perienced, for he says: "We began a con- 
tes for Liberty and Independence, ill pro- 
vided with the means of war, relying on 
our patriotism to supply the deficiencies. 

"We expected to encounter many diffi- 
culties, wants and distresses and we should 
neither shrink from them when they hap- 
pen, nor fly in the face of Law and Gov- 
ernment to procure redress ..." "Ours 
is a kind of struggle designated I dare say 
byProvidence to try the patience, fortitude 
and virtue of men. None who engage in it 
will suffer himself, I trust, to sink under 
difficulties or be discouraged by hardships." 

NEW YORK IN THE REVOLUTION. 

It was not until the 20th of April, 1777, 
that New York declared itself. Then the 
Representatives in convention assembled, re- 
solved, "That reasons assigned by the Con- 
tinental Congress, were cogent and conclu- 
sive . . . " "and will at the risque of our 
lives and fortunes join with the other col- 
onies in supporting it." Satisfaction with 

45 



the state of affairs as they were, the security 
of property, were among the potent factors 
that held New York, and yet, while the 
historians have until recently held, that she 
did not furnish only about 18,000 men, it 
has been found that nearly 44,000 men were 
in the service. In patriotism, New York 
was second to none, and acted promptly 
upon the recommendations made by the 
Provincial Congress of New York and the 
Continental Congress. 

The first Continental Congress adopted 
a policy of non-interference, recommended 
that committees be appointed in every prov- 
ince, county and town to »ign the associa- 
tion that was drawn up and to be enforced 
as vigorously as possible. Subscribers to 
the Dutchess County Proceedings under 
date of Jan. 18, 1775, declared that our 
Sovereign Lord, King George, was the only 
Sovereign to whom British Americans can, 
could or ought to owe and bear true and 
faithful allegiance, and they would when 
called upon, enforce obedience to the au- 
thority of King George the 3rd. (Signed 
by a number of inhabitants of Dutchess 
Co.) 

The pledge adopted after the Battle of 
Lexington, signed in several precincts of 
Dutchess Co., declared, "We will in all 
things follow the advice of our General 
Committee ... for the preservation of 
peace, and good order and the safety of in- 
dividuals and property." 

The Archives of the State do not con- 
tain any record of any signers from the 
Fredericksburgh and Pawling precincts. 



The Misses Patterson of Patterson have an 
original pledge signed by Matthew Patter- 
son, Joseph Chandler, Comfort Ludington, 
Reuben Miers(?), James Dickenson, Jr., 
Josiah Bennett, Malcolm Morrison, Alex 
Kidd, Henry Ludington, Elijah Oakley, 
William Calkin, David Atkins, Stephen 
Baxter. 

Some of these adhered to their allegiance 
to the Brtish Crown, and the others ren- 
dered meritorious service in the War of the 
Revolution. 



OBLIGATIONS. 

I am under great obligation to the Librar- 
ians of the Public Libraries of New York 
and Boston, to Mr. Bolton of the Athenaeum 
of Boston, the Librarians of the following 
Historical Societies: New York, Long 
Island, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsyl- 
vania; the Washingon Papers in the Li- 
brary of Congress, the Pensylvania Archives 
and various publications and other sources 
of information too numerous to mention, 
containing much of interest, copies of or- 
ders, resolutions of Congress, letters and 
other interesting material unused. The limit 
of time and space forbid mention of all. 



47 



ADDRESS DEUVERED BY 

MR. L. S. PATRICK 

at the 

Unveiling of Memorial Tablet 

On the Site of Washington's Headquarters 

in Pawling, New York 

SEPTEMBER 16th, 1905 

One hundred and twenty-seven years 
have come and gone since the tramp of men, 
the command of officers of the Revolution- 
ary Army were heard in this section. There 
is no clash of arms, no roar of battle to de- 
scribe, no victory to celebrate, but rather 
to commemorate the honor and patriotism 
of a gallant band of men, who offered all, 
sacrificed, suffered all, that this great na- 
tion might be established. 

Let us for the moment invoke the spirit 
of the Soldier of the Revolution; what 
think he would see, what would he do, 
what would he say? 

What a scene would he view, what a spec- 
tacle, what a memory, what a reverie? 
Wonderful almost beyond comprehension. 

A mighty, marvelous change has been 
wrought. What a contrast. To-day — yes- 

48 



^ttliHHI 


BHEiKW''^ 




^^^m^magmm 


^Rft^ 


"^^a"' ■ 


^^^^^^^^^■K|vM V ' ' ' 






^^^^^^R-:^' ^ — Z^* ■ll^ttltf 'J': . Z: :^^1 


P*^ 


^^ 






^JT^^w 


1 



terday — ^tomorrow are not so far apart, 
when we consider there may be here, some 
like myself, who have known those who 
were old enough to remember some of the 
events of the Revolution, or toiled, while 
their fathers stood in the ranks or led. 

To-day, a great world power. Yesterday, 
but struggling and feeble colonies. To-day 
great in achievements, great in enterprises, 
great in possibilities. Yesterday, poor, 
weak, scorned. To-day, a nation whose 
friendship is sought, recognized. Yester- 
day, a small people contending against great 
odds. To-day, a most wonderful nation, 
enjoying a liberty unthought of and a free- 
dom undreamed of by our fathers. What, 
., of the to-morrow, what of the future 
of this great Nation, of this grand Republic ? 

Only one answer can be given. A 
greater, a grander, a mightier empire, will 
rise — for freedom, truth and the rights of 
man. 

We are here assembled on an auspicious 
occasion to designate and mark the site of 
the headquarters and to commemorate an 
event of him "Who was first in war, first 
in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen," the incomparable and match- 
less Washington. 

The Washington orderly book tells us 
that on the i6th day of September, 1778, 
one hundred and twenty-seven years ago 
to-day, the Army was marching by Divi- 
sions to Fredericksburg. 

The same authority indicates a three-day 
march. So that on the 19th we find at least 
a portion of it had arrived in this vicinity. 

49 



Just which day Washington himself ar- 
rived here is involved in some uncertainty, 
possibly the 20th, as he passed through 
Fishkill on his v/ay here on that day. The 
non-appearance of any letters or orders 
make it probable it was during the day of 
the 2 1st, as his first letter is dated the 22nd 
and the first order the 23rd. 

The order of the 23rd gives us an in- 
definite knowledge of the headquarters. The 
Court-martial ordered to meet at General 
Lincoln's quarters states near Quaker Hill, 
where headquarters are at present. This 
"at present" admits the headquarters were 
not permanently located. Lossing, in his 
life of Gen. Schuyler, confirms this opinion. 
He says : "General Schuyler was put on his 
trial where Washington had his headquar- 
ters and which he had just evacuated." The 
trial begun on the first day of October. On 
this day the headquarters were not at Gen- 
eral Lincoln's quarters but somewhere else. 
In further confirmation of this, the Elijah 
Fisher's Journal tells us on the 25th of 
September, "Headquarters and likewise the 
guard left Oblong and came to Mr. Cain's, 
Fredericksburgh." 

The question has been raised that it is 
strange the local tradition is not better sus- 
tained that the headquarters were at John 
Kane's. That no better remembrance re- 
mains of the headquarters at John Kane's 
is neither surprising nor strange. It must 
be remembered he was a large landholder 
and the possessor of other property to a 
large amount. With him, like others simi- 
larly situated, property possession was 

so 



greater than patriotic purpose. It is more 
than probable he had no faith in the success 
of the patriots' cause. It was neither pru- 
dent, safe nor politic to espouse it. Re- 
maining" loyal to the British crown, the cir- 
cumstances of war brought severe penalty, 
the loss of property, dispossession, forfeiture 
and removal. 

Under these conditions it is not surpris- 
ing nor strange there is so little retained 
in this community. It is fair to presume 
his immediately family had no incentive to 
perpetuate any recollection of the event of 
the occupancy of his premises by the Com- 
mander-in-chief of the army, or that in fu- 
ture years, it would be a matter of any 
importance. It is more than probable hib 
nearest descendants were told their ancestor, 
John Kane, was despoiled of his property 
so that the memory of the event left but 
slight impression and recollection. How- 
ever as this may be, the documentary proof 
is ample and sufficient to establish the head- 
quarters at John Kane's. 

First, the letter of Gov. Clinton to Robert 
R. Livingston, dated at Pokeepsie, 23rd 
Sept., 1778. Clinton Papers, Vol. 4, p. j'j'. 
"The army has left the plains and are now 
posted along the mountains from Danbury 
to West Point. Headquarters at John 
Kane's at Fredericksburgh, for which place 
Gen'l Washington after visiting the forts, 
passed through Fishkill on Sunday last." 
(20th Sept., 1778.) 

Second, Elijah Fisher's Journal, 1775- 
1784, p. 10, 25th Sept. : "Headquarters and 
likewise the guard left Oblong and come to 

51 



Mr. Cain's in Fredrexburg four miles and 
pitched tents." 

30th: ''His Exelency and addecamp re- 
turned from Fishkills to Mr. Cain's." 

Third, Washington's Order Book, Oct. 
22nd. "Nixon's, Huntington's and Parsons' 
Brigade are to march to-morrow from the 
left under command of Maj. Gen'l Mc- 
Dougall. The Quartermaster General will 
give the route. Order repeated in the Divi- 
sion orders. Gen'l McDougall's Order 
book. Orders of March, Oct. 22nd : 

"The Rout will be by headquarters to 
Col. Morehouses, then to Deacon Gaylords 
from thence to Shawan River through New 
Milford, then to Southington Meeting house 
and last to Farmington." 

Division orders McDougall's order book, 
Oct. 22nd. Order of March. 

"Gen'l Nixon's Brigade leads. Hunting- 
ton's follows and Parson's brings up the 
rear. Nixon will throw out a vanguard. 
Parson and Huntington will furnish a rear 
guard. 

"As there is no forage between this and 
Deacon Gaylord's, the general desires the 
troops will be in motion as early as possible. 

"The two Connecticut Brigades will halt 
at the Cross Road near headquarters to let 
Gen'l Nixon's Brigade pass by them. The 
Route will be by Headquarters to Col. 
Morehouses then to Deacon Gaylord, re- 
peating the continuance of the route al- 
ready given." 

Fourth, Gen'l Rufus Putnam in a letter 
to Washington Oct. 15th, reporting the most 
feasible and convenient halting place on the 



route to Boston, furnishes this description: 
"From the Park by Headquarters to Deacon 
Gailers 13 miles. On this route the road is 
very good. 20 miles to New Milford. The 
hills are very few and easy of ascent." 

Fifth, The maps, whose accuracy and au- 
thenticity is supported by the prevailing sys- 
tem of roads. 

Sixth, the letter (Boardman letter) read 
before the conference, 1901, at Quaker Hill. 

Seventh, the Sarah Morris letter recently 
quoted. 

Eighth, Clinton, in giving the location 
of the troops, is in accordance with the 
facts. The system of correspondence in 
vogue, the means of conveying information 
rapidly for the time, it is improbable that 
Gov. Clinton could have been mistaken. 

The Fisher Journal quoted as authority 
by others, kept by one who belonged to 
Washington's life guard. It is hardly pos- 
sible that he could have been mistaken in 
his knowledge of the movements of his 
General, or where the headquarters were. 

The order directing the march of General 
McDougall towards Boston leaves no doubt 
of the direction taken and travelled. 

The letter of Gen'l Rufus Putnam, de- 
scribing the route, and in that letter inform- 
ing Washington that if he had received his 
letter sooner, he would have been more par- 
ticular, but the report then made he con- 
sidered sufficiently accurate and would 
prove no material detriment to the service. 

The maps hardly admit of a question that 
the maker of them had definite and personal 
knowledge of their courses and direction, 

53 



the locations, prominent features and habi- 
tations then existing. 

The letters of Boardman and Morris of 
such date, no disposition can be maintained 
against their truthfulness. 

These authorities are sufficient, ample and 
conclusive to prove and set at rest the loca- 
tion of the Headquarters of Washington at 
Fredericksburg from Sept. 24 to Nov. 28^ 
1778, at John Kane's and at no other place. 

In arriving at this conclusion, it is with- 
out prejudice, impartially but with the de- 
termination to present the facts as found 
and to relate them. I am not unmindful of 
the claims of the Reed Ferris premises. It 
is to be regretted there is no documentary 
evidence to sustain the contention. I doubt 
not that Washington was there, but that his 
stay was only temporary. 

In passing let us fix some other events 
of the Revolution in this locality. Previous 
to the court-martial of Gen'l Schuyler at 
the Reed Ferris house as stated by Lossing, 
the assembling of the court under the order 
of the 23rd of September, that the court was 
the continuance of the court assembled at 
White Plains the 23rd of August, at which 
Gen'l St. Clair was put on trail for neglect 
of duty. When the court assembled here 
it was composed of the same officers as 
were named at White Plains and only 
changed on account of the illness of Col. 
Wyllis for the trial of Gen'l Schuyler. 

Gen'l Schuyler, in a letter to William 
Duer, a member of Congress from this state, 
makes it clear that St. Clair's trial was con- 

54 



eluded by the covtrt first assembled at White 
Plains. 

Here at this place was held the Council 
which determined the location of the Army 
for the winter ; here also was a drawing of 
the clothing by lot which had been received 
during the stay of the Army here. Col. 
Alexander Hamilton drew for New York 
and drew blue for the New York troops, 
and here all the important letters of Wash- 
ington were written during the period, and 
here the orders that governed the move- 
ments of the army were issued, the pro- 
motions named, the punishments ordered, 
and the morality of the troops counseled. 

Elijah Fisher s Journal, Oct. 6th to 2^rd. 

"The 6th Oct. I returned and jines the 
guard again and at my return I finds an 
alteration in the dress of my mates. I asked 
one of them I Herrick it seams as though 
there had been an Alteration Since I had 
been gone. He said that he had that money 
sent to him that he sent for (Now I know 
that he had Sent for Som Money from his 
father) I said I was glad off it for I hoped 
we Should not be so putt out for money to 
bye things with now and that you now will 
be able to pay me that trifil you owe me 
(Sixteen Dollars) he said he hoped he 
should. 

"Presently in comes one or two more I 
said have you had money Sent you from 
home too I fear that you have taken some 
other way to git it than that, then Herrick 
Said as I. Herrin was out after things for 

55 



the Genarl's Famely (Now Herrin was one 
that was sent after to bye things for the 
Genar'l Famely and he had a horse and a 
pass to go where he Could get such things 
as wanted for the Genral's Famely) he 
come to an old Tory's house and they would 
not Let him have anything and he See 
Several things that he wanted so when he 
come home he gos to his Messmates and 
takes them and they gos and robed him of 
Several things. I said that whether he was 
a tory or not If it would be found out 
(which such things as Robery Seldim is) 
Some or all of you will be hung which 
Surprised them very much but there was no 
more heard about it. 
The 8th. 

''His Exelency and Addecamp returned 
from Fishkill to Mr. Cane's. 
The 17th. 

"In Remembrance of Gen. Burgoins De- 
feet the Day was Selebrated with the firing 
of Canon and in throing of Skilokets in the 
are thirteen was fired then they begun to 
through the skilokets and a merry Day they 
had too at the Park of Artillery. At night 
some of the Guard was a going to the park 
Col. Harrisons waiter was a coming from 
there under way run over one of them 
which hurt him so that he died the Same 
Night. 
The 1 8th. 

"John Love joy the man that was killed by 
the horse was Decently Buried. There was 
them four that was Said that Robed the 
Tory brought to and Examination Viz 
John Herron John Herrick Moses Walton 



and Elias Brown. The same day John 
Strogdal one of the Guard was to Mr. How- 
lens and he was a telHng him how that he 
had been Robed So and So at such a time 
and that the lever that the men had on that 
Robed him was a round hatter with a piece 
of Bare Skin on it but they were all blacked 
and that he had made Enquiry through the 
Army but Could not find any that wore such 
hats but the guard asked him if he had 
seen any of the Guard more fuller of money 
tan usual he said he did not know but he 
had but did not know how they Come by it. 
The man said that he did not want any 
man hurt upon his account for he knew that 
they would be hung if they were found out 
and told Strogdal that if he would find the 
things and put them where he mite find 
them he would say no more about it. 
Strogdal gos home to the guard and was 
consulting with one of his messmates about 
it for they had Destroyed a Part of the 
things and if they did anything about it 
it would bring it all out. In the meenwhile 
there come Mr. Howage to the officers of 
the Guard on Suspicion that Some one had 
Robed him (for they Robed one Friday 
Night and the other on Monday Night) and 
as they was a talking about it one of the 
waiters Come and Told them that Strogdal 
knew something about them. He was 
Called and Exemend but he tryed to hide 
what he could but they told him that if he 
Did not tell all he knew about it he would 
be taken up on Suspicion and fare accord- 
ingly then he thought it would be known 
and if he Did not tell about it What he 

57 



knew it would bring him into Difficulty so 
he up and tells all that he knew Consarning 
the affare then they Sends an Confined 
Herrick and Brown and Sends Sargt Har- 
ris with two Lite horse men into the Coun- 
try after Walton that was not well and he 
was abed and asleep and they tells the 
woman that they wanted a Candle and so 
they gos up Chamber and stands over him 
with there Swords drawn in there hands 
and awakes him and told him he was there 
prinoner and he gets up and had a pare of 
Bearskin Breeches that they got to Mr. 
Howlens So they feches him to the gard 
and confinds him with the others and Her- 
rin was out and having a general pass they 
were afrade that he would hear of it So 
they Sends to a place where he Did Some- 
times Reside but he being not there they 
Returned. 
The 19th: 

"The next morning Leut Livingstone was 
to the Park of Artillery (Herrin in his re- 
turn from the Country Come by there) 
Sends a man with him for fear he would 
make his Escape So he was garded to Head- 
Quarters and Confind with the others. The 
same Day they were Examend and Herrick 
Said that he was loth to go after they had 
Set out and Con a little way he would fane 
have had them gon back but they told him 
that if he did not go that they would De- 
spach him for they would not have him 
Enform against them. So he was obliged 
to go So he turned States Evedende against 
the others So after Examiniation was 
found gilty and what thing that Could be 

58 



found that they had not Desposed of was 
Restored to them again that they belonged 
too and where they had Payd any Dets they 
was obliged to Restore it to them again and 
they to the ones they got it from, then the 
Same day they was all sent to the purvey 
guard. 

The 22nd : 

"They all had ther Tryel and Herrin, Wal- 
ton and Brown was sentenst to be hung and 
Herrick to have a Hundred Lashes. Wal- 
ton made his escape from the purvey gard 
and Herrin was hung at Fishkills and 
Brown made his escape from the Gard that 
was sent to gard him to the Place of Exe- 
cusion to New Milford to the part of the 
army that lay there. Herrick was carried 
to Frederixburg and had a hundred Lashes. 
The 23rd : 

"Gen. Pattisons, Gen. Huntington and 
Gen. Nixon's Brigades Marched to Hart- 
ford Save Col. Parson's Reg't that went on- 
word. 

The 24th : 

"The Gard Marcht down to Fredrexburg 
to see a man hung for Robing he was Exe- 
cuted at Eleven in the Fournoon Thomas 
Glover by Name and there was five Whipt 
One Hundred lashes apease all Save one 
for Robing two of them belonged to the 
Gard Viz: John Harrick and Joseph Tum- 
berlak, for Striking an Officer. 



59 



Celebration of Biirgoine's Surrender. 
October 17th. 

The Colonists and the American Army 
had just cause to celebrate this day. This 
day. Dearborn in his Journal, states, ''The 
Great Burgoyne with his whole army sur- 
rendered themselves prisoners of War, with 
all their Public Stores, and after grounding- 
their arms marched off for New England, 
the greatest conquest ever known." 

Boardman tells us that there was a grand 
parade and festival, the tables were set 
under a long shade of green boughs, and 
when the general arrived, the spectators 
dismounted and took their stand outside of 
the assembly of officers, who joined in nu- 
merous parties in conversation for a long 
time before dinner was served." 

Fisher in his Journal tells us, "In re- 
membrance of Gen'l Burgoyne's defeat, the 
day was celebrated with the firing of can- 
non and the throwing of sky rockets, . . . 
and a merry day they had too at the Park 
of Artillery." 

The day was celebrated by the Division 
under Gen'l Gates at Danbury. Dearborn's 
Journal gives us a more particular account, 
and from it we may judge what kind of a 
day the merry day at Fredericksburg was. 

"17th, this being the first anniversary of 
the glorious 17th of October, 1777, the field 
officers of this Division make an entertain- 
ment for all the officers of the Division and 
gentlemen of the town. We eat dinner on 

60 



a small hill between two of the brigades. 
After the officers of the three brigades had 
assembled on the hill by marching in Divi- 
sions 13 in each, 13 cannon were discharged 
from each brigade at which time Gen'l 
Gates arrived with a number of other Gen'l 
Officers, there was then three cheers from 
the whole Division. At dinner we had 
about 350 Officers and other gentlemen. 
After dinner there was 13 toasts drank and 
a cannon discharged for each. At evening 
we retired to the town and spent the even- 
ing very agreeably. 

i8th. "We are getting sober." 



Nezv York in the Revolution. 

It was not until the 20th of April, 1777, 
that New York declared itself. Then the 
Representatives in Convention assembled 
resolved ''That reasons assigned by the 
Continental Congress, were cogent and con- 
clusive . . . and will at the risque of 
our lives and fortunes join with the other 
colonies in supporting it. Satisfaction with 
the state of affairs as they were, the security 
of property, were among the patent factors 
that held New York, and yet, while the his- 
torians here until recently held that she did 
not furnish only about 18,000 men, it has 
been found that nearly 44,000 men were in 
the service. In patriotism New York was 
second to none, and acted promptly upon 
the recommendations made by the Provin- 
cial Congress of N. Y. and the Continental 
Congress. 

61 



The first Continental Congress adopted a 
policy of non-interference, recommended 
that committees be appointed in every prov- 
ince, county and town to sign the associa- 
tion that was drawn up and to be enforced 
as vigorously as possible. Subscribers to 
the Dutchess County Proceedings under 
date of Jan. i8, 1775, declared that our 
Sovereign Lord, King George, was the only 
Sovereign to whom British Americans can, 
could or ought to owe and bear true and 
faithful allegiance, and they would when 
called upon, enforce obedience to the au- 
thority of King George the 3rd. (Signed 
by a number of inhabitants of Dutchess Co.) 

The pledge adopted after the Battle of 
Lexington, signed in several precincts of 
Dutchess Co., declared, "We will in all 
things follow the advice of our General 
Committee . . . for the preservation of 
peace, and good order and for the safety 
of individuals and property." 

The Archives of the State do not contain 
any record of any signers from the Fred- 
ericksburgh and Pawling precincts. The 
Misses Patterson, of Patterson, have an 
original pledge signed by Matthew Patter- 
son, Joseph Chandler, Comfort Ludington, 
Reuben Miers, James Dickenson, Jr., Josiah 
Bennett, Malcolm Morrison, Alex Kidd, 
Henry Ludington, Ehjah Oakley, William 
Calkin, David Atkins, Stephen Baxter. 

Afterwards some of these adhered to their 
allegiance to the British Crown, and others 
rendered meritorious service in the War of 
the Revolution." 

In the exercises held here this day, let 

62 



us not forget the one who unveils this tab- 
let, Laura A. Stuart Sherwood. It is re- 
markable that by her, we are but one remove 
from those who, under the most discourag- 
ing circumstances, conducted and brought 
to a successful conclusion, a war which has 
broughtest results to mankind. 

The great problems that have been met 
and solved, the great achievements, the 
great expansion of our country, have oc- 
curred during her lifetime, and yet, we look 
back upon the past and think the country 
is old. Not so. Let us not forget we 
are honored by her presence. Let us honor 
her, and in going, remember we have wit- 
nessed one of the events of our lives, a liv- 
ing connection with those of the Revolu- 
tionary times, and with those of our own 
progressive present, and the great future 
that lies before us. 

Read Sept. i6th, 1905, at the unveiling 
of the tablet marking the site of Washing- 
ton's Headquarters at Fredericksburg, N. 
Y., during the fall of 1778. 

LEWIS S. PATRICK. 



63 



DUTCHESS CO., N. Y., RECORDS. 
Co. Clkrk's Office. 

Vol. 8:i8. 

Mch. 28, 1 781, by Comrs. of For. 

Former owner, John Kain. 

Purchaser, Col. Henry Ludington. 

Con., £150. 

150 acres in Pawling Precinct. 

Boundaries, a hill called Mount Tom, 
Beekman Pre. line, a road leading over the 
mountain, a tree "near Nichol's House," 
etc. 

Vol. 8: 57. 

May I, 1781, by Comrs. of For. 
Former owner, John Kain. 

Purchaser, Wm. B. Alger. 

Con., £1,300. 

486 acres in Pawling Pre. 

Boundaries, a fork in roads (one to 
Fredericksburgh, other to mountain), Edy's 
line, Corban's line, "top of a mount called 
purgatory," etc. 

Vol. 8 : 287. 
July 3, 1784, by Comrs. For. 

Former owner, John Kain. 

Purchaser, John Morin Scott. 

Con., i8io. 

3 lots in RomboHt Pre. of 21, 20^i, and 
15 acres, near Fishkill. 

64 



Vol. 8: 294. April 3, 1783. 

Former owner, John Kain. 

Purchaser, Caleb Hains. 

Con., £230. 

150 acres PawHng Pre. 

Boundaries, the lines of Jeremiah Sabin, 
Wm. Pearce, John Hoeg, Wm. Alger, Isaac 
Van Vert, Wm. Hunt, and "Willis's line," 
subject to a lease in Caleb Hains possession. 

Vol 10 : 9. 
Feb. 28, 1 77 1. 
John Kane & Sybill h. w. 

To 
Reed Ferris of Pawling Pre. 
Con., £100. 

Land Pawling Pre. near Jabez Sherman 
& Nehemiah Merritt, "WiUis's Hne," etc. 

Statk o^ New York. 

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. 

Albany, January 5, 1903. 
Lewjs S. Patrick, Esq., 

Marinette, Wisconsin. 
Dear Sir: 

With this you will find certified copy of 
the record of John Kane, as requested. 
Yours respectfully, 

Nathan L. Miller, 

Comptroller. 
This is to certify that the name of John 
Kane appears in ''Manuscripts of the Col- 
ony and State of New York in the Revolu- 
tionary War," on file in this department, as 
follows : 

65 



Volume 41, folio 59, page 21. 
"List of farms and houses leased by the 
Commissioners of sequesr. in Dutchess 
County : 

John Kane — Pawlings. 
Sep. 7th, 1779 — ^About 40 Acres of his 
farm leased to Danl. Sering to May ist, 
1780. 

Volume 41, folio 61, page i. 
"Effects sold by Commissioners of Se- 
questration in Dutchess County belonging to 
the following Persons, Vist. : 

John Kane, Augt. 'Zj, 1779. . . £627 4 — 

ditto. Sept. 7, 1779 2,201 4 — 

ditto. June 15, 1780. . . . 600 

ditto. Oct. 5, 1780 3,984 

Volume 42, folio 70, page 2. 
"Abstract of Vouchers and Evidence of 
the Value of Firewood, Timber, &c., taken 
by the Army of the United States at differ- 
ent times, for the use of said Army from 
Sequestered Estates within the State of 
New York, as Valued by proper judges 
chosen by me on the part of the United 
States and James Roosevelt on the part of 
the State aforesaid. 



66 



No. of Names of persons Former Names of 

Certifs. appointed to Proprietors Persons now 

Issued. Dates, value property. Names. Possessing. 



568 



John Kane 



District in which each 
farm is situated. 

Fredericksburgh, 
Dutchess Co. 



Value of 
Property taken. 



£5 ir — 



Amt. of each 
Certificate. 



Volume 43, foHo 45, page 7. 

"Dr. JOHN KANE:. 

To amount brought from 

Folio 23 £118 

To Elizabeth Sleght... 
To Elias Desbrosses . . 
To EJlias Desbrosses . . 
To James Desbrosses . . 
To Thomas Regan .... 
To Joseph EJlderton... 
To Nathaniel Marston. 
To Charles McEJvers . . 
To Robt. G. lyivingston 



118 9 


2 




689 I 


10 


71 5 


9 


45 


414 13 


4 


313 15 




45 


1825 I 


9M 


35 12 


4 


45 


207 4 


4 


40 S 


9 


45 


235 5 


554 


2 3 


8 


45 


12 14 




6 8 


II 


45 


37 10 




62 3 


7 


45 


361 13 




116 14 


5 


45 


969 16 


6M 


14 II 


I 


45 


84 13 


4 



831 12 8 



Dividend . 



3 Sd. 



26-100 



Or. 

By amount Brought from Folio 23 2,863 i 

By Sundry Accounts from large ledger 38. . 480 6 



67 



Volume 44, folio 32. 
''To the Treasurer of the State of New 
York. 
Samuel Dodge, John Hathorn and Daniel 
Graham, late Commissioners of Forfeiture 
for the Middle District of said State, do 
hereby Certify and make known to the said 
Treasurer that we have sold the Estate of 
John Kain late of the Co. of Dutchess. 
By appraisement agreeable to 
the La\v of the 4th October, 
1780, for Two thousand five 
hundred and seventeen pounds 
six shillings and eight pence in 
Certificates 

2517 6 8 
Which is all the Estate of said John 
Kain sold by us and the amount 
paid into the Treasury. 

Saml. Dodge 
Danl. Graham 
ToHN Hathorn'' 



68 



Certificate of John Kane. 
"Sir 

In consequence of the provision in the 
Twenty-third section of the Act for the 
Setlement of the PubHc Accounts passed the 
22d day of March last, I have agreed with 
John Young of the City of New York, 
Sadler, that he shall be allowed the sum of 
Eight hundred and Eleven pounds, as the 
proportion to be paid by the State of the 
Sum of One Thousand Pounds the amount 
of the monies paid by him to the Executors 
of Elias Desbrosses deceased, in full pay- 
ment of the principal and interest due on a 
certain Mortgage of Lands in the County 
of Dutchess from John Kane attainted of 
adhering to the enemies of this State, to the 
said EHas Desbrosses, and assigned by the 
said Executors to the said John Young, in 
consideration of the said Sum of One Thou- 
sand Pounds, and the said John Young hav- 
ing executed and delivered to me such re- 
lease as I have deemed requisite for secur- 
ing the persons holding parcels of the said 
Mortgaged premises by Title derived from 
the State against you to Pay, to the said 
John Young, the said Sum of Eight hun- 
dred and eleven pounds. 

I remain your most Obedt Servt, 

Egbkrt Benson, Atty. Genl, 

Novr. 25th, 1788. 
To Gerard Bancker, Esqr., 
Treasurer. 

(Copy) 

G. Bancker, Treasr." 
WiiyUS E. Merriman, 
[SEAI,] Second Deputy Comptroller. 

69 



k*\l< 



»'U 







